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ding, disinfection and returning of the same, could be done by one man,
incidentally effecting a saving of expense. The following items show the
nature of the work carried out, viz. :—
Number of Journeys of ambulance to remove patients to Joint Hospital,
Winch more Hill 293
Number of Journeys of ambulance to remove patients to other hospitals 8
Number of Journeys of bedding van to remove infected bedding 467
Number of Journeys of bedding van to return bedding after disinfection
377
Number of journeys of brougham to fetch patients from hospital to
their homes 180
Number of patients returned to their homes from the hospital by the
brougham 300
DISINFECTANTS.
For some years past the Council have generously allowed the free distribution
of disinfectants to the inhabitants of the district, but during the
last three months under report it has been found necessary to curtail the
expense, and callers have been informed that the giving of disinfectants will
be discontinued.
As I have before reported, the address of every applicant has been taken,
and kept for reference if necessary. Disinfectants are only supplied to those
bringing tin vessels, it having been found that glass bottles brought for the
purpose were broken about the district and waste occurred.
No doubt some of the disinfectant is misapplied, but its use must, to
a great extent, encourage cleanliness and cause much more water to be used
than otherwise would be. On looking through the register of callers I find
41,167 persons applied for disinfectants during the year. It has been suggested
that the supply of disinfectants might be discontinued without any
detriment to the health of the district. I might say this would be a great
relief of responsibility to me, but, personally, I should be loth to recommend
such a course, knowing full well that much good has been done in the past.
DRAINAGE, &e.
During the year several large groups of houses have been re-drained.
Several other groups of house drainage have been examined, but owing to the
complex nature of legal opinions and decisions of what is or what is not " a
sewer," the work is much hampered.